MANILA, Philippines — The Senate minority bloc decried the supposed “solitary confinement” of their fellow opposition lawmaker Senator Leila de Lima, who was not allowed to receive visits from her family and staff since April 25. However, De Lima’s request was allegedly denied “on the pretext of enforcing the Metro-wide Modified ECQ within the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.”“This action of the PNP Custodial Center is unconstitutional, illegal, and violates a cardinal precept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that solitary confinement and incommunicado detention are universally outlawed,” the senators’ letter further read. The lawmakers then expressed hope that the PNP chief would take the “necessary remedial action that you may deem appropriate under the circumstances.”When sought for a comment, PNP spokesman Brig. ADVERTISEMENTDe Lima has been detained over what she repeatedly said were “trumped-up” drug-related charges since February 2017. Read NextEDITORS' PICKMOST READ

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 28, 2020 14:26 UTC